Hello Newbie here...need help pls with buying CLK

[Clk1000]

Hello All,

I've finally decided I'm going to take the plunge and get a CLK, I've always wanted one but have been worried about the stories about reliability. Luckily I stumbled on this forum during my research and I'm so glad I did :bannana: It's a great forum...full of a wealth of information.

I have a budget somewhere between 4-5.5K and I have the following needs/like to haves:
Auto gear box
<70k miles
Leather seats
Preferably Sat Nav
Heated Seats

Do you think this is realistic? I'm open to your feedback. Any ideas are welcome please....I'm willing to wait for the right one. The ones I've seen so far on Auto trader are floating between 2002 and 53 plates. Are these good years?

I have a less than 4 mile round trip journey weekdays but do about 70 miles on the weekend so I'm looking for a petrol engine rather than diesel.

Ive got a lot more questions but I'll keep reading the forum

Thanks so much.

Kath

 

[steve333]

Hello All,

I've finally decided I'm going to take the plunge and get a CLK, I've always wanted one but have been worried about the stories about reliability. Luckily I stumbled on this forum during my research and I'm so glad I did :bannana: It's a great forum...full of a wealth of information.

I have a budget somewhere between 4-5.5K and I have the following needs/like to haves:
Auto gear box
<70k miles
Leather seats
Preferably Sat Nav
Heated Seats

Do you think this is realistic? I'm open to your feedback. Any ideas are welcome please....I'm willing to wait for the right one. The ones I've seen so far on Auto trader are floating between 2002 and 53 plates. Are these good years?

I have a less than 4 mile round trip journey weekdays but do about 70 miles on the weekend so I'm looking for a petrol engine rather than diesel.

Ive got a lot more questions but I'll keep reading the forum

Thanks so much.

Kath

Hi Kath,welcome to the forum,you should get a good w208(the old shape) for your budget & with the mileage you do i would go for the super smooth v6 clk320(i had a convertible one previously,lovely car),it will return 25mpg on average,just make sure you get a good clean one with full service history(pref mb but independant specialist is ok),look out for signs on rust bubbles on all 4 wheel arches & around the bootlock & make sure the aircon is ice cold(the condensors can fail on these which can be an expensive fix,take your time when buying,theres plenty of good ones out there

 

[Clk1000]

Hi There Steve,

Thanks so much for your response and the warm welcome.

I was actually hoping for a slightly newer shape, I just looked them up - the 209.

I was hoping for something like this one, although this one is now gone ;(
2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 320 Avantgarde Tip

Are the 209 prone to rust as well? Do they also have the AC issue?

Thanks again.

Kath

 

[newman2000000]

Hi, In that sort of age bracket, there is a "valeo radiator" issue.

Do a search for that term as it can be a big problem and expensive to fix.
The arches do also rust on the 209, and make sure things like the headlight washers work...

 

[steve333]

Hi, In that sort of age bracket, there is a "valeo radiator" issue.

Do a search for that term as it can be a big problem and expensive to fix.
The arches do also rust on the 209, and make sure things like the headlight washers work...

I think the valeo problem doesn't affect the clk's but stand corrected.

 

[steve333]

Hi There Steve,

Thanks so much for your response and the warm welcome.

I was actually hoping for a slightly newer shape, I just looked them up - the 209.

I was hoping for something like this one, although this one is now gone ;(
2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 320 Avantgarde Tip

Are the 209 prone to rust as well? Do they also have the AC issue?

Thanks again.

Kath

Your welcome Kath,the w209 is a more femanine looking clk in my opinion hence the reason you like it & if you go for one make sure it was manufactured after may 2004(i think this is when mb started galvernising them making them less likely to rust).I think the condensor problem was confined to the w208's but check it's working ok on any car you look at.

 

[TDE1]

Hi Kath & welcome. Hope you find what you're looking for. Nice choice of marque, if I may say!

 

[Stevemichelle3]

Hi Kath, In the same boat as you but think I want a 55 (see my post). will let you know if I come across anything decent!

Steve.

 

[Clk1000]

Hi Steve333, thanks again for the great advice. You're right! I really like the shape as its nice and feminine in my opinion too.and still looks classy even though it might be 8 yrs old I will certainly stick to your advise and hold out for a post May 04. I'll keep looking and hope for the best.

Hi Stevemichelle3, thanks so much for looking out and best of luck with your search too

All - thanks so muh for your comments, advice on what to look out for and warm welcome.

Kath

 

[goodpw]

Hi Clk1000,
I have just sold my CLK500 Avantgarde 209 2003 with 96k miles, It was a fantastic car to drive (not just because of the V8). get one with as many gadgets as you can but make sure they all work.

My CLK experience was good with only minor woes.
1) Mine had the clicking dashboard, this can be repaired & parts are cheap but it is time consuming so labour costs are the primary reason to live with it.
2) The crank shaft sensor gave up on mine & led to the car cutting out at odd times, again cheap part but a swine to get at on the 500.
3)The rust issue seems to be on the inner of the wheelarch lip & could easily be put right by a body shop.
4)Valeo...I read about this but had no problem in 3 yrs of ownership.
5) Springs seem a bit fragile & prone to snapping the last coil off, I had
1 front & 1 rear break at seperate times.

You should be in a 209 for your budget, but engine size & spec will obviously dictate price. Big'uns are cheap to buy but pricey to run & service.
I let my 500 go for £4500 (midway between private sale & trade in price) but I was keen to sell as I had a car i wanted to buy.

Good luck, i'm sure you'll find one & you won't be dissapointed.

regards, Goody.

 

[steve333]

Hi Steve333, thanks again for the great advice. You're right! I really like the shape as its nice and feminine in my opinion too.and still looks classy even though it might be 8 yrs old I will certainly stick to your advise and hold out for a post May 04. I'll keep looking and hope for the best.

Hi Stevemichelle3, thanks so much for looking out and best of luck with your search too

All - thanks so muh for your comments, advice on what to look out for and warm welcome.

Kath

Good luck with your search for the clk you want,don't forget to post the pics when you find one

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hi and welcome to the forum.